System for selectively revealing indicia

ABSTRACT

A system for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprises a transitioning window having a receiving surface and a viewing surface. The receiving surface is positioned in optical communication with an indicia holder that is configured to removably retain indicia, such as information content. During operation, the transitioning window transitions from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state so as to reveal or otherwise display the indicia to an observer via the viewing surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Generally, the present invention relates to a system to selectivelyreveal removable indicia. In particular, the present invention isdirected to a transitioning liquid crystal (LC) window to selectivelyreveal removable indicia. More particularly, the present invention isdirected to a transitioning liquid crystal (LC) window that isconfigured to selectively reveal removable indicia in association with adispenser, appliance, or other device.

BACKGROUND ART

Advertisements, displays, and other informational signage or contenthave achieved a level of ubiquity in our environment that over time, thepopulation has become very adept at blocking out or otherwise ignoringthe information or message conveyed therefrom. To overcome this obstaclein an effort to attract an individual's attention, advertisementcampaigns are painstakingly designed and employ a variety of techniquesto present information in a compelling manner and to appeal to theinterests and senses of the target individual. Thus, to a large degree,the success of a particular advertising or marketing effort tocommunicate its message to potential consumers is heavily reliant on themedium chosen. However, the cost and expense of developing and producinga marketing campaign with the requisite appeal needed to gain aconsumer's interest is significant. Additionally, an advertisingcampaign that utilizes moving, dynamic images or content to attract theattention of a target individual is costly, as it requires a significantamount of production effort to implement such a concept.

In addition to the cost of producing dynamic informational content, thecost of display units, such as flat screen displays upon which thecontent is presented, as well as the costs associated with operatingsuch displays, are also significant expenses, thus restricting the totalnumber of locations where such displays will ultimately be installed. Inaddition, continuously updating the dynamic content presented on suchdisplays is costly and time consuming as well. As such, there aresignificant costs associated with installing and maintaining a displaycapable of rendering dynamic informational content. In contrast,informational content that is static or fixed, such as printed contentembodied in posters, billboards, and magazines, is much less costly toproduce than that of dynamic content but is generally less effective inattracting the interest and attention of a target individual.

Therefore, there is a need for a low-cost, low-power system forselectively revealing indicia, such as a static printed image via atransitioning window, which transitions between substantially opaque andsubstantially transparent states to capture an individual's attention.Additionally, there is a need for a system for selectively revealingindicia that utilizes a transitioning window in connection with indiciathat can be removably replaced as desired. Furthermore, there is a needfor a system for selectively revealing indicia that utilizes atransitioning window in connection with a dispenser or any othersuitable structure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present inventionto provide a system for selectively revealing indicia.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system forselectively revealing indicia to an observer comprising a transitioningwindow having a receiving surface and a viewing surface, said windowconfigured to transition between an at least partially transparent stateand an at least partially opaque state, a controller coupled to saidtransitioning window, an actuator coupled to said controller, and anindicia holder configured to removably retain the indicia in opticalcommunication with said receiving surface, wherein upon the actuation ofsaid actuator, said transitioning window transitions from said at leastpartially opaque state to said at least partially transparent state, soas to permit the observer to view the indicia via said viewing surface.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method forselectively revealing indicia to an observer comprising the steps ofproviding a transitioning window having a receiving surface and aviewing surface, said transitioning window having an at least partiallyopaque state and an at least partially transparent state, providingindicia in optical communication with said receiving surface, andactuating said window to transition from said at least partially opaquestate to said at least partially transparent state to reveal saidindicia via said viewing surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for selectively revealing indiciain accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of the system for selectively revealingindicia that does not utilize a light source in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system for selectively revealingindicia when configured for use with a dispenser in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a front elevational view of the system for selectivelyrevealing indicia embodied as a fluid dispenser, whereby thetransitioning window is substantially opaque, so as to obscure theindicia disposed there behind in accordance with the concepts of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3B is a side elevational view of the system for selectivelyrevealing indicia shown in FIG. 3A in accordance with the concepts ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3C is a front elevational view of the system for selectivelyrevealing indicia embodied as a fluid dispenser, whereby thetransitioning window is substantially transparent, so as to permit thedisplay of the indicia therethrough in accordance with the concepts ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the system for selectively revealingindicia when embodied as a towel dispenser in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system for selectively revealingindicia when utilized as a stand alone device in association with aurinal in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the system for selectively revealingindicia when utilized in association with a spray mister in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system for selectively revealingindicia when configured as a stand alone device to provide a remotelylocated hands-free actuator, such as in a faucet, in accordance with theconcepts of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A system for selectively revealing indicia is generally referred to bythe numeral 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-2. In particular, the system 10includes a transitioning window 20, such as a polymer dispersed liquidcrystal window, which is configured to selectively transition from asubstantially, or at least partially, opaque state to a substantially,or at least partially, transparent state. Thus, the use of the terms“opaque state” and “transparent state” as used in the followingdiscussion contemplate opaque and transparent states that aresubstantially or at least partially opaque and substantially or at leastpartially transparent. Continuing, the transitioning window 20 ismaintained by the system 10 so that it separates an indicia holder 40from the line of sight or field of view of an observer 50. As such, theindicia holder 40 is configured to removably retain indicia 60, such asa printed advertisement or other informational content. For the purposesof the following discussion, the term “indicia” is defined as anyinformation, communication, advertisement, image, message, or the like.For example, the indicia 60 may comprise printed characters on a sectionof paper. Thus, during operation of the system 10, the observer 50 ispermitted to view the indicia 60 when the window 20 transitions from theopaque state to the transparent state. The transition between opaque andtransparent states may be controlled in accordance with variouscriteria, such as the input from various stimuli, including theactuation of a switch or via a proximity detector that is configured todetect the presence of a person or the person's hands. As such, thesystem 10 allows the message or informational content to be conveyed bythe indicia 60 in a manner that captures the attention of the observer50, thus enhancing the effect of informational content provided by theindicia 60. Furthermore, the indicia holder 40 permits a user to quicklyand readily change the indicia 60, thereby allowing the informationalcontent conveyed thereby to be updated in a quick and simple manner.While it is understood that a continuum exists between the substantiallytransparent state, the partially transparent state, the partially opaquestate, and the substantially opaque state provided by the transitioningwindow 20, it should be appreciated that in general the observer 50 willmore clearly view the indicia 60 when the transitioning window 20 is ina transparent state, than when the transitioning window is in an opaquestate.

Specifically, the system 10 is carried or otherwise disposed within ahousing 70 that may be configured to be integral with or otherwiseassociated with any desired structure, including, but not limited to, adispenser, a fixture, or an appliance. For example, the housing 70 maybe formed so as to be integral with a soap dispenser, a towel dispenser,a spray mister, a toilet, or a urinal. Alternatively, it should beappreciated that the housing 70 may be formed as a standalone devicethat may be mounted in any desired location. Continuing, the housing 70maintains a controller 100 that comprises any suitable general-purposeor application-specific computing device suitable for carrying out thefunctions to be discussed. In one aspect, the controller 100 maymaintain non-volatile memory, volatile memory, or a combination of bothto facilitate the operation of the system 10. Furthermore, it should beappreciated that the housing 70 may be formed of any suitable material,such as plastic, steel, or aluminum for example, and may be of anysuitable size or shape.

Electrically coupled to the controller 100 is the transitioning window20, which is configured to selectively transition from a substantiallytransparent state to a substantially opaque state and vice versa. Thetransitioning window 20 maintains a receiving surface 110 opposite aviewing surface 120, and although the transitioning window 20 may beconfigured such that the surfaces 110 and 120 oppose each other, otherconfigurations are also contemplated, whereby the surfaces 110 and 120may be oriented in any desired angle or position with regard to oneanother. Moreover, the opposed surfaces 110 and 120 may be dimensionedto take on any desired shape, size, or contour. The transitioning window20 comprises a window formed of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC)or may be comprised as a suspended particle device (SPD). However, it isalso contemplated that the transitioning window 20 may comprise anelectrochromic device, as well as any other device which may becontrolled so as to transition from an opaque or substantially opaquestate to a transparent or substantially transparent state.

Coupled to the controller 100 is a power source 130 that is configuredto power the components of the system 10. The power source 130 maycomprise a portable D.C. (direct current) power source such as abattery, or may be configured to receive and convert power from an A.C.(alternating current) mains power source, such as 120 VAC (alternatingcurrent), into a format compatible for operating the system 10. It isalso contemplated that the power source 130 may comprise a solar orphotovoltaic power source or any other source of power. It should alsobe appreciated that the power source 130 may comprise a combination ofportable power and solar and/or mains power or any other suitable powersource. In addition, the power source 130 may solely power the system 10or in other embodiments may power both the system 10, as well as otheraspects of the structure that the system 10 is integrated with. Forexample, the system 10 may be made integral with a hands-free dispenserconfigured to dispense a fluid, which are both powered by the powersource 130. Furthermore, due to the reduced power requirements of thetransitioning window 20, extended operation of the system 10 ispermitted when batteries or other portable power source is used.

Maintained adjacent to the receiving surface 110 is the indicia holder40 that is configured to removably retain indicia 60 in opticalalignment with the transitioning window 20, so that it can beselectively revealed to the observer 50 via the viewing surface 120 whenthe transitioning window 20 is in a transparent or substantiallytransparent state. While the indicia holder 40 is discussed as beingadjacent the receiving surface 110, it should be appreciated that theindicia holder 40 may be oriented in any desired position with respectto the receiving surface 110 so long as it is in optical communicationtherewith. For example, the indicia holder 40 may be remotely locatedfrom the receiving surface 110, while the image from the indicia 60 isrouted to the receiving surface 110 via mirrors or any suitable means.

Continuing, the indicia holder 40 may comprise any suitable devicecapable of holding, supporting, carrying or otherwise maintaining theindicia 60 in place, while in other embodiments, still permitting theindicia 60 to be removed and replaced. As such, the indicia holder 40allows the user maintaining the system 10 to readily customize and/orupdate the content provided by the indicia 60. However, in certainembodiments it is foreseen that the indicia 60 may be permanentlymounted or placed in the indicia holder 40.

In one aspect, the system 10 may be configured with an access port 160within the housing 70, such as a slot for example, that allows anindividual to directly access the indicia 60 to thereby remove orreplace it as desired. It is also contemplated that access to theindicia holder 40, via the access port 160, may be restricted to onlyauthorized individuals via a locking device 170. The locking device 170may comprise a locking door or any other suitable device that preventsone from removing and/or inserting indicia into the indicia holder 40,without the appropriate authorization.

The indicia 60 may comprise any suitable material that is permitted tobe held in place by the indicia holder 40 or that is permitted to beplaced in optical communication with the receiving surface 110 of thetransitioning window 20. In one aspect, the indicia 60 may comprise anadvertisement, signage, text/graphic content, as well as any otherinformational content. For example, the indicia 60 may be disposed upona paper or cardboard section, or upon any other suitable material, whichis dimensioned to be received and retained by the indicia holder 40. Forexample, when the system 10 is used in association with that of a soapdispenser, the indicia 60 may provide information that encourages thewashing of the user's hands.

It is also contemplated that in certain embodiments the indicia 60 maybe illuminated by any suitable illumination source. For example, theindicia 60 may be illuminated by a light source 180 that is configuredto operatively communicate light with the transitioning window 20. Assuch, light emitted from the light source 180 may be directed to one ormore edges of the transitioning window 20 via a light pipe, opticalfiber, or other suitable light routing means. By supplying the light tothe edge of the window 20, the light will be carried through thetransitioning window 20 so as to illuminate the indicia 60. Suchoperation serves to further draw the attention of the observer 50 to theindicia 60. It is also contemplated that the light source 180 may beactivated based on the change in the ambient light surrounding thesystem 10 as detected by a light sensor 182 coupled to the controller100. Alternatively, the system 10 may be configured without the lightsource 180, as shown in FIG. 1A, while still allowing the observer 50 toview the indicia 60 using the environmental ambient light surroundingthe system 10.

The transition of the transitioning window 20 between opaque andtransparent states is controlled by an actuator 200, which is coupled tothe controller 100. The actuator 200 may comprise a button, a switch, orother device, such as a proximity sensor, that when actuated orotherwise in receipt of suitable stimuli, results in the controller 100activating the transitioning window 20 so as to transition from asubstantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state topermit the display of the indicia 60 to the observer 50. For example, inthe case where the actuator 200 comprises a proximity sensor that iscapable of detecting the presence or non-presence of one or moreindividuals, the controller 100 initiates the change in state at thewindow 20 from opaque to transparent when an individual is in theproximity of the actuator 200 and correspondingly initiates the changein state from transparent to opaque when the individual is no longer inthe proximity of the actuator 200.

In another aspect, the system 10 may be configured such that, when thetransitioning window 20 has transitioned to a transparent orsubstantially transparent state, a timer maintained by the controller100 is initiated. After a predetermined amount of time, such as 5seconds, has expired the controller 100 transitions the transitioningwindow 20 back to an opaque or substantially opaque state, therebyblocking or obscuring the indicia 60 from the view of the observer 50.In addition, it should be appreciated that other schemes or protocolsfor controlling the transition of the transitioning window 20 betweenopaque and transparent states may be utilized by the system 10, and thusthose disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting.

For example, the system 10 or other system, such as a hands-freedispensing system controlling the operation of the system 10, may beconfigured whereby the transitioning window 20 is placed in atransparent or substantially transparent state to display the indicia 60when a user initiates the washing of his or her hands upon thedispensing of soap. Once the soap is dispensed, the system 10 or othersystem associated therewith, identifies when a sufficient amount oftime, such as the time period established by the Center for DiseaseControl (CDC), has expired that coincides with sufficient cleaning ofone's hands. Once the time period has expired, the transitioning window20 then transitions to an opaque state, so as to indicate that it istime to rinse the soap from the user's hands. In one aspect, the indicia60 associated with such timed process may display informational contentto alert the individual of the timed process being implemented.

Thus, with the general components of the system 10 set forth, thefollowing discussion will be directed to specific embodiments thatemploy the operational features previously discussed.

Thus, an embodiment of the system 10, whereby the housing 70 comprises adispenser 300, is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A-C. The dispenser 300 isconfigured to dispense liquids, such as soap for example, such that uponthe actuation of the actuator 200, a dispensing unit 310, such as apump, is energized to dispense a quantity of material or dispensingitem, such as soap, maintained by a refill unit or container 320maintained in operative communication therewith. Coinciding with theactuation of the actuator 200, the transitioning window 20 transitionsfrom a substantially opaque state, as shown in FIG. 3A to a transparentstate, as shown in FIG. 3C, so as to display the indicia 60 for apredetermined period of time, or until the actuator 200 detects someother change in condition, such as the movement of the individual awayfrom the proximity of the actuator 200. It should be appreciated that,as shown in FIG. 3B, the indicia holder 40 may comprise a ledge 330 uponwhich the indicia 60 is permitted to rest. Furthermore, while thedispenser 300 is presented as a liquid dispenser, it should beappreciated that it may be readily adapted to dispense any desiredmaterial.

In an alternative embodiment, the housing 70 maintaining the system 10may comprise a towel dispenser 350, as shown in FIG. 4. The toweldispenser 350 maintains a dispensing slot 352 configured to provide atowel to the individual upon actuation of the actuator 200. Thus, thetransitioning window 20 is configured to transition from a substantiallyopaque state to a substantially transparent state when the actuator 200is activated. Furthermore, the towel dispenser 350 may have a door 360that can be opened to access the indicia holder 40 and indicia 60disposed therein, so that the indicia 60 can be updated or replaced asdesired, or the indicia 60 may be accessed via the access port 160.Furthermore, the door 360 may be configured with the locking mechanismso that access to the indicia 40 is restricted. Or alternatively, theindicia 60 may be inserted or removed from the indicia holder 40 via theaccess port 160, as previously discussed.

In yet another embodiment, the system 10 may be configured so that thehousing 70 maintaining the actuator 200 is formed as a stand-alone unit380, as shown in FIG. 5. In one aspect, the stand-alone unit 380 may beconfigured so that it may operatively interfaced with the power sourceused to activate an automatic toilet or urinal 400, or other device. Forexample, the system 10 may be configured such that a power line 401 iscoupled between the power source supplied at a flush actuator 412maintained by the automatic toilet or urinal 400 and the controller 100maintained by the system 10. As such, the system 10 may be energizeddirectly by the power used to power the automatic toilet or urinal 400,without the need of batteries or other portable power source 130.However, it should be appreciated that the stand-alone unit 380 may bepowered by a portable power source, such as battery, or any othersuitable power source, thus allowing the unit 380 to be placed in anydesired position. Furthermore, the housing 70 of the standalone unit 380comprises a pivoting door 402 that that is attached to a mountingsection 404. The pivoting door 402 can be selectively opened to accessthe indicia holder 40, as well as the indicia 60 itself. Thus, in theevent the indicia 60 is to be updated, the door 402 can be readilyopened to enable the change of indicia 60. The mounting section 404facilitates the mounting of the system 10 upon any desired surface orstructure using suitable fasteners, such as screws or adhesive forexample. In addition, the pivoting door 402 may provide the access port160 thus facilitating the removal and insertion of new indicia withinthe housing 70.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the system 10 may beconfigured whereby the housing 70 maintaining the system 10 comprises aspray mister 500. In one aspect, the spray mister 500 may be configuredto dispense aerosolized material into the air to provide a pleasantscent via a dispensing port 510. As such, the transitioning window 20may be configured to transition from a substantially opaque state to asubstantially transparent state when an individual is within theproximity of the spray mister 500, as detected by the actuator 200. Thespray mister 500 may also be configured such that the indicia 60 may beaccessed through a pivoting door 520 or via the access port 160 disposedtherein.

In addition, the system 10 may be configured whereby the actuator 200 ismaintained separately from the housing 70 and is remotely wired to thecontroller 100 of the standalone unit 380. For example, the actuator 200may comprise a proximity sensor that is remotely maintained in a fixture600, such as a faucet, as shown in FIG. 7, although the proximity sensor200 may be maintained in any suitable fixture, structure, or surface.Thus, when an individual comes within proximity of the fixture 600, thetransitioning window 20 is transitioned to a substantially transparentstate so as to display the indicia 60. Such a configuration allows thetransitioning window 20 to be placed in one area, while the triggeringaction used to control the transitioning window 20 is sensed by theactuator 200 in another area. In another aspect, the system 10 can beconfigured to be retrofit with existing detection sensors, such asproximity sensors, that are maintained by an existing device. Forexample, in the case of hands-free devices, such as hands-free faucets,the proximity sensor 200 may already be incorporated therein. As such, auser desiring to initiate or trigger the operation of the transitioningwindow 20 from the detection of a person's hands may couple thecontroller 100 to the proximity sensor 200 maintained by the faucet orother fixture 600 using any suitable communication interface.

It will, therefore, be appreciated that one advantage of one or moreembodiments of the present invention is that a system for selectivelyrevealing indicia provides a transitioning window that transitions froma substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state todisplay indicia therethrough. Still another advantage of the presentinvention is that a system for selectively revealing indicia provides anactuator that, when actuated, results in the transitioning windowtransitioning from a substantially opaque state to a substantiallytransparent state. An additional advantage of the present invention isthat a system for selectively revealing indicia provides an indiciaholder that removably retains indicia, so as to be shown to an observerthrough the transitioning window.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain embodiments, other embodiments are possible.Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

1. A system for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprising: a housing having a transitioning window, wherein said transitioning window has substantially opposed receiving and viewing surfaces, and wherein said window is configured to transition between an at least partially transparent state and an at least partially opaque state; a controller coupled to said transitioning window; an actuator coupled to said controller; and an indicia holder carried by said housing and configured to support indicia so as to be in optical alignment with said receiving surface; wherein upon the actuation of said actuator, said transitioning window transitions from said at least partially opaque state to said at least partially transparent state, so as to allow the indicia to be viewable via said viewing surface through said receiving surface.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicia holder includes a ledge to support the indicia thereon.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said transitioning window is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, suspended particle device (SPD) material, and electrochromic material.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said transitioning window transitions from said at least partially transparent state to said at least partially opaque state after a predetermined amount of time has expired.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator, said indicia holder, said controller, and said transitioning window are at least partially maintained by a housing.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising: a dispensing unit coupled to said controller; and a refill unit maintaining at least one dispensing item in operative communication with said dispensing unit, wherein said dispensing unit and said refill unit are coupled to said controller; whereupon the actuation of said actuator results in the dispensing of at least one dispensing item.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said housing includes an access port that is in operative communication with said indicia holder to enable the removal and receipt of the indicia therefrom.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is remotely maintained by a fixture.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light source coupled to said controller, said light source generating a light to illuminate the indicia.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said light source is in operative communication with an edge of said transitioning window.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a light sensor coupled to said controller to monitor the change in ambient light about the system, wherein the intensity of said light emitted from said light source is adjusted based on the level of ambient light detected by said light sensor. 